King supports judicial development strategy

AMMAN – His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday underlined his commitment to the independence and integrity of the judiciary, which, he said, should be protected against political or social influences.

He made the remarks at a meeting with Judicial Council President Mohammad Al Mahameed, during which the top judge presented the proposed 2012-14 strategy to develop the judiciary.

King Abdullah voiced his support to the six-component plan, which he had received earlier this month, calling for taking tangible steps to implement the strategy within a fixed timetable.

Through serving justice and protecting the rights of citizens, the judicial apparatus plays a key role in the reform process, the King was quoted as saying in a Royal Court statement.

King Abdullah underlined the importance of meeting the needs of the judicial system, mainly in terms of providing courts with qualified cadres to ensure the continuation of the judiciary’s “outstanding” performance to remain a model for integrity and efficiency.

The strategy’s first component, according to the statement, is designed to “strengthen the institutional independence of the legal system and enhance the efficiency of the judicial inspection methodology as well as develop the institutional capacity of the Judicial Council”.

The second component has to do with upgrading judges’ capabilities and skills with the aim of improving the quality of judicial rulings and accelerating litigation procedures, while in the third part, the goal is set to   achieve effective criminal justice according to international best practices and highest standards.

The strategy’s fourth and fifth components seek an institutionalised relationship between the judicial authority and the Ministry of Justice and open channels of communications between the judicial authority and other institutions, such as the Jordan Bar Association.

The sixth aspect focuses on increasing public awareness regarding the rule of law.

In a letter sent to Mahameed last year, King Abdullah underlined his commitment to promoting separation between the three branches of government, supporting judicial reform and developing the judiciary.

The King urged acceleration in endorsing the amended version of the law governing the independence of the judiciary, noting that it should entail provisions that further support the judiciary such as an article that vests the appointment of judges in the Judicial Council.

Another amendment stipulates that the administrative judiciary should include two degrees of litigation.

He also urged activation of judicial inspection procedures and called for adopting a system under which judges become specialised in certain fields, especially in issues that have surfaced with the accelerating developments in modern times such as intellectual property, international trade, domestic violence and anti-corruption.

A sound judicial system, the King said, can help translate the country’s reform plans into facts on the ground, including economic reform and efforts to increase the country’s economic competitiveness.

jordantimes